BLITAR – Only 16.7 percent of SPPG permits in Blitar Regency have reached the hygiene certification stage, as local authorities push nutrition service operators to complete licensing requirements.

Dinas Penanaman Modal dan Pelayanan Terpadu Satu Pintu Kabupaten Blitar said just 14 out of 84 registered Satuan Pelayanan Pemenuhan Gizi, or SPPG, facilities have obtained temporary Surat Laik Higiene Sanitasi (SLHS), a sanitation and hygiene eligibility certificate required for operation.

Bayu Aji Mariska, head of the Blitar licensing agency, said only 38 facilities have submitted permit applications so far.

“Out of 84 SPPG facilities, only 38 have submitted documents. Meanwhile, 14 have already received SLHS,” he said.

Before the agency issues an SLHS certificate, operators must first obtain a recommendation from Dinas Kesehatan Kabupaten Blitar. Current data show that the health office has issued recommendations for 33 facilities.

However, only part of that group has completed the full licensing process.

Several SPPG facilities continue operating even though they have not yet secured complete permits. Local officials previously gathered foundation representatives and operators to explain the licensing process, but many have not followed up.

“We already invited the foundations, but only 38 responded by submitting documents. Several applications still need corrections,” Bayu said.

He explained that one common problem involves business classification documents. Many operators do not yet hold the correct Indonesian business classification code, known as KBLI, for catering services.

That issue forces applicants to revise documents before officials can continue the process. Officers also found errors in several cross-sector technical permit documents.

The agency has returned incomplete files to applicants so they can correct missing requirements and resubmit them later.

Bayu said many SPPG operators have not started the licensing process at all. He believes communication gaps contribute to the delay.

In earlier meetings, SPPG managers often attended instead of foundation owners or legal business representatives.

“The invitation was for owners or foundations, but SPPG heads came instead. Our message may not have reached the actual partners clearly,” he said.

After Eid al-Fitr, the Blitar administration plans to restart direct assistance for permit applications. Officials want all operators to complete hygiene certification as soon as possible.

“After Eid, we will speed up the process again so they can immediately secure SLHS,” Bayu said.